Taco Braid + PB & J Braid

I couldn't resist this recipe when I read it on the girl who ate everything.

Use this pizza dough recipe (from the previous post) then divide in two. (one half for each braid.)

Taco Braid

4 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup salsa

1/2 to 1 lb. ground turkey, beef, or sausage, cooked and seasoned with a taco seasoning mix

1 15 oz. can black beans

1 cup of shredded cheese

olive oil

garlic salt

Spray counter and hands with cooking spray and knead dough for a few seconds to form a smooth ball. Roll dough into a 15-inch rectangle. Place on a greased cookie sheet. (It's very important to place the dough on the cookie sheet before you fill it because once you fill it, it will be too heavy to move onto the cookie sheet.) Spread cream cheese lengthwise down center third of rectangle., salsa, then seasoned meat and black beans. Sprinkle with cheese. On each long side, cut 1 inch wide strips about 2 1/2 inches into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack or cutting board with a couple spatula's. Garnish with Sour cream, avocado slices, and cilantro.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Braid

(use the other half of the pizza dough)

Peanut butter, creamy or crunchy (we used about 1 1/2 cups

Favorite flavor of Jelly (we used about 1 cup)

Roll dough out into a 15 inch rectangle (fit it to a cookie sheet) and put it onto the cookie sheet. Spread the peanut butter, then the jelly down the center third of the dough. On each long side, cut 1 inch wide strips about 2 1/2 inches into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. PInch ends to seal and tuck under. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack or cutting board with a couple spatula's. Enjoy! (this one goes best with a glass of milk)